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Dear reader,
We have travelled from filthy garments to clean robes, from the weight of despair to the garment of praise, and from the vulnerability of spiritual conflict to the armour God provides.
One truth continues to emerge: we cannot cleanse ourselves of sin by our own strength, earn righteousness through good works, or overcome spiritual opposition by relying solely on our abilities. We must depend on God and the provision He has made for us.
But what happens when God is ready to restore us, yet people keep reminding us of who we used to be?
The Garment of Restoration
Have you ever had someone constantly remind you of your past? No matter how much you have changed, there always seems to be someone willing to bring up your former mistakes, reopen old wounds and remind you of the person you used to be. If we allow it, we allow others to imprison us.
Have you ever had someone constantly remind you of your past? No matter how much you have changed, there always seems to be someone willing to bring up your former mistakes, reopen old wounds and remind you of the person you used to be. If we allow it, we allow others to imprison us.
But what does God say about restoration? In Zechariah 3:1–5, the prophet receives a remarkable vision. Joshua the high priest stands before the angel of the LORD, while Satan stands at his right hand to accuse him. Joshua is wearing filthy garments.
The imagery is striking. Joshua is the high priest, a man who represents the priesthood before God, yet he stands in filthy clothing. His garments illustrate an unclean condition, while Satan's presence highlights the accusation against him. Then something extraordinary happens. God rebukes Satan, and the command is given:“Take away the filthy garments from him.” (Zechariah 3:4, KJV)
The Lord then declares:“Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” (Zechariah 3:4, KJV)
Notice what happens here. God initiates the change. The filthy garments are removed, his iniquity is taken away, and clean garments are provided.
What a powerful picture of God's grace!
This vision takes place in the context of the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile. Joshua's role as high priest gives the vision significance beyond his personal condition. His cleansing is connected to the restoration of the priesthood and God's purposes for His people.
The message is clear: restoration comes through God's intervention, not through our ability to make ourselves righteous.
Dear reader, we cannot erase our past through our own efforts, but neither must we remain defined by it. We must repent, receive God's forgiveness and walk in the new life He provides. People may continue to accuse you, but their accusations do not have the final word when God has forgiven and restored you. Romans 8:1 reminds us: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (BSB)
The Clean Turban: A Consecrated Mind
The vision continues in Zechariah 3:5:“And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments.” (KJV)
The turban, or priestly headpiece, was part of the sacred clothing worn by Israel's priests. Exodus 28 describes the priestly garments, including the gold plate on the high priest's turban inscribed with the words: “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.” (Exodus 28:36, KJV)
These garments signified the sacred responsibilities of the priesthood and its consecration to God. The turban is then representing a consecrated mind, that is a renewed mind in Christ.
Restoration should affect more than how we see ourselves; it should influence how we think, what we believe and how we live before God. God does not restore us and calls us to holiness and obedience.
If you believe God as a forgiving God who sent His Son to die for our sins, then we have to believe in the power of the blood of Christ to wash us from sin.
A Revelation About the Priesthood
But, dear reader, I want to share a particular revelation I have of this passage. Joshua represents the body of Christ today. In 1 Peter 2:9, believers are described as “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people” (KJV).
We are doing church so well. What do we look like as a body of priests? Are we living in a manner that reflects the priestly calling we have received? Are we wearing our priestly garments?
I believe there is more to explore here about the priesthood of believers, what it means to be consecrated to God, and how we maintain our commitment to Him. That is a subject I intend to explore in another blog.
For now, let us remember that God does not merely expose what is filthy; He provides the means for restoration. Our responsibility is to receive His grace and walk faithfully in the calling He has given us.
But First, Let Me Ask You, Dear Reader …
What are you wearing?
Are you still wearing the garments of shame, guilt and your former life? Or have you received God's restoration and begun to live according to the new identity He offers through Christ? God's invitation is not to pretend that our past never happened. It is to allow Him to deal with it, receive His forgiveness, and move forward in obedience.
The filthy garments do not have to be the end of your story.
Let God clothe you anew.
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